According to the American Kidney Foundation there are almost 37 million Americans suffering with some type of kidney disorder.
Your kidneys are organs located just at the bottom of the rib cage and near the spinal column. They filter waste products from the body and blood as well as remove toxic fluids as by-products through the urinary tract.
The kidneys are also important for activating a form of vitamin D which helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is essential for muscle function and preserving bone health.
Given the high levels of toxins in today’s modern environments, it’s more important than ever that you maintain healthy kidneys. As such, you need to know the symptoms of kidney disease.
Signs of chronic kidney disease:
- Muscle cramps
- Chest pain
- Lack of appetite
- Fatigue
- Increase or decrease frequency of urination
- Insomnia
- Skin problems
- Nausea, vomiting
- Weight loss
- Lack of concentration
Prevention is key to combating organ degeneration overtime. We can either wait for symptoms to come on or simply take charge of our health preemptively. Here are simple ways to cut down on our unhealthy habits and improve your kidney function immediately:
Controlling blood sugar
The kidneys work to remove excess glucose from the blood. This is why people with long standing chronic disease such as diabetes can experience kidney complications over time, as their kidneys are forced to work overtime filtering the blood and removing excess glucose on a daily basis. Over time this can lead to chronic kidney disease.
Causes and risk factors for chronic kidney disease
- Certain autoimmune conditions
- Smoking
- Digestive conditions
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney disease
- Certain medications
- Moderate to heavy consumption of alcohol
- Genetic diseases
- Diabetics
- Certain types of infections
Effective Supplements to Improve Your Kidney Health
Eat for your kidneys
This is easier said than done. However, getting essential foods can be life changing and transformational for your kidneys. Calcium and phosphorus are widely available minerals present in natural foods that can help your kidneys.
Both of these essential minerals are important for maintaining healthy bones. Consuming foods low in sodium and increasing your intake of fresh ingredients of fruits and vegetables containing calcium can help. Those who have chronic kidney disease need to limit red meat, salt, and refined sugars.
Vitamin D Consumption
Vitamin D is essential for kidney function. The kidneys have vitamin D receptors that are vital in converting vitamin D into the active form needed to the body. When there is low kidney function or kidney disease, the ability for the kidneys to convert vitamin D is lost. When there is no vitamin D present, the body cannot control calcium and phosphorus in the blood. This can lead to blood clots and serious cardiovascular problems.
Glutathione
Glutathione is a supplement that has been very popular within the last 10 years or more. Naturally produced by the liver, it is an antioxidant that targets free radicals and is known to protect the body from oxidative stress.
The kidneys must be supplied with a certain amount of glutathione. They are exposed to high amounts of oxidants, requiring adequate amounts of glutathione to restore kidney function.
Probiotics
Dysbiosis is a dysfunction of the digestive system where excessive bacteria grows in the small intestine. Probiotic supplements taken over four weeks has been shown to protect the intestinal mucosa by reducing the levels of urea toxins. Probiotics may also increase the levels of interleukin-6 which helps promote intestinal regeneration in the digestive lining.
Chronic kidney disease can be a common, hidden problem since it can go unnoticed over time. Simply making the right choices in natural health can improve kidney function. It’s been scientifically shown that eating healthy, staying at a particular weight for your height depending on whether you’re a male or female, including taking the appropriate supplements as mentioned above can support kidney function.
